This document discusses the design and aerodynamic properties of paper airplanes. It begins with an activity where students make paper airplanes and consider what design characteristics influence how far and straight they fly. Properties like shape, weight distribution, and material are discussed. The document then covers concepts from atmospheric science like pressure, circulation, weather patterns and fronts that influence flight. Students learn about lift and forces on airplanes from principles like Bernoulli's and Archimedes. Controls and deviations are explained. Activities involve experiments, calculations and drawings related to paper airplane design and atmospheric science concepts.

1. Air + PlaneAir + Plane
AST 406AST 406

2. ChallengeChallenge
 To design and make a better airplane;To design and make a better airplane;
 To understand the atmosphere better;To understand the atmosphere better;
 To understand how air flows;To understand how air flows;
 To understand how weather affects airTo understand how weather affects air
travel;travel;

3. Activity: Make a PlaneActivity: Make a Plane
 Take a piece of paper and make an airplaneTake a piece of paper and make an airplane
that you think will fly the farthest;that you think will fly the farthest;
 What makes a plane fly farther?What makes a plane fly farther?
 What makes a plane fly straighter?What makes a plane fly straighter?
 Suggest characteristics of a good paperSuggest characteristics of a good paper
airplaneairplane

4. Paper Airplane RubricPaper Airplane Rubric
PropertyProperty DesiredDesired
DesignDesign Aerodynamic – delta shapeAerodynamic – delta shape
Control of air movement over wingsControl of air movement over wings
Helps plane move in desired directionHelps plane move in desired direction
Wing AreaWing Area MaximumMaximum
MassMass MinimalMinimal
Weight is balanced throughoutWeight is balanced throughout
MaterialMaterial Keeps shapeKeeps shape
LaunchLaunch Throw forward/up from centre of gravityThrow forward/up from centre of gravity

5. AtmosphereAtmosphere
 The atmosphere is the layer of airThe atmosphere is the layer of air
surrounding the earth;surrounding the earth;
 Air is the mixture of gases that make up theAir is the mixture of gases that make up the
atmosphere;atmosphere;
 Air is ~80% Nitrogen gas (NAir is ~80% Nitrogen gas (N2) and ~20%) and ~20%
oxygen (Ooxygen (O2).
 There are also small amounts of the gases:
Water Vapour (H2O), Carbon Dioxide (CO2),
and Argon (Ar);

6. Atmospheric PressureAtmospheric Pressure
 Air has mass;Air has mass;
 Atmospheric pressure is the weight, or forceAtmospheric pressure is the weight, or force
down, of the air in the atmosphere;down, of the air in the atmosphere;
 Pressure = Force/Area (Pascal or Pa);Pressure = Force/Area (Pascal or Pa);
 1 Pa = 1 Newton of Force on 1 m1 Pa = 1 Newton of Force on 1 m22
;;
 Atmospheric pressure is about 101300 PaAtmospheric pressure is about 101300 Pa
or 101.3 kPa (kiloPascal);or 101.3 kPa (kiloPascal);

7. High and Low PressureHigh and Low Pressure
 Greater atmospheric pressure means thatGreater atmospheric pressure means that
there are more particles in a volume of air;there are more particles in a volume of air;
 Less particles = less pressure;Less particles = less pressure;
 Warmer air rises, the particles move fasterWarmer air rises, the particles move faster
and farther apart; thus it has a lowerand farther apart; thus it has a lower
pressure than cooler air;pressure than cooler air;
 Air particles move from zones of highAir particles move from zones of high
pressure (with lots of particles) to zones ofpressure (with lots of particles) to zones of
low pressure (fewer particles)low pressure (fewer particles)

8. Layers of AirLayers of Air

9. ActivityActivity
 Air pressure demonstration with candle inAir pressure demonstration with candle in
beakerbeaker
 Workbook, Page 117 – 118Workbook, Page 117 – 118

10. Air CirculationAir Circulation
 Air masses move around because of theAir masses move around because of the
different densities and temperatures of airdifferent densities and temperatures of air
masses around the world due to:masses around the world due to:
– Location – above water/landLocation – above water/land
– SeasonSeason
– Time of dayTime of day
– Rotation of the EarthRotation of the Earth
 This causes patterns to emerge;This causes patterns to emerge;
 Air circulates in specific global movements;Air circulates in specific global movements;

11. Weather PatternsWeather Patterns
 Globally – prevailing wind currentsGlobally – prevailing wind currents
 Continentally – warm/cold air masses moveContinentally – warm/cold air masses move
in as fronts depending on pressurein as fronts depending on pressure
 Locally – Air heats up and rises, cool airLocally – Air heats up and rises, cool air
takes its place creating breezes.takes its place creating breezes.

12. Depression/Anti-CycloneDepression/Anti-Cyclone
 Depression - DDepression - D
– low air pressure - Llow air pressure - L
– cloudy skiescloudy skies
– precipitation – rain, snowprecipitation – rain, snow
 Anti-cyclone - AAnti-cyclone - A
– high air pressure – Hhigh air pressure – H
– clear skiesclear skies
– sunny, drier weathersunny, drier weather

13. ColdCold//WarmWarm FrontsFronts

14. A Mighty WindA Mighty Wind
 Prevailing winds are major air currents thatPrevailing winds are major air currents that
blow in a given direction according to globalblow in a given direction according to global
patterns of movement;patterns of movement;
 An air mass is a large expanse of theAn air mass is a large expanse of the
atmosphere with the same temperature,atmosphere with the same temperature,
pressure and humidity (water content);pressure and humidity (water content);
 Anti-cyclone: an area of air circulationAnti-cyclone: an area of air circulation
surrounding a high pressure centre.surrounding a high pressure centre.
 Depression: an area of air circulationDepression: an area of air circulation
surrounding a low pressure centre;surrounding a low pressure centre;
 Cyclone: a tropical storm with violent windsCyclone: a tropical storm with violent winds
revolving around an area of low pressure;revolving around an area of low pressure;

15. Air CellsAir Cells
 Air that has been warmed at the Equator becomesAir that has been warmed at the Equator becomes
lighter and less dense;lighter and less dense;
 It moves towards the North and South Poles;It moves towards the North and South Poles;
 Air that has been cooled at the Poles movesAir that has been cooled at the Poles moves
closer to the Earth’s surface and replaces thecloser to the Earth’s surface and replaces the
warmer air;warmer air;
 These circulation loops are called cells;These circulation loops are called cells;

16. Issues in Atmosphere ResearchIssues in Atmosphere Research
 Wind energyWind energy
 Smog = Smoke + FogSmog = Smoke + Fog
 Thinning of theThinning of the Ozone layerOzone layer
 Pollution of the atmospherePollution of the atmosphere
 Greenhouse Gas EffectGreenhouse Gas Effect
 Climate change/Global warmingClimate change/Global warming
 Ottawa Valley Weather ChangeOttawa Valley Weather Change

17. Liquid AirLiquid Air
 Air can be thought of as a liquid;Air can be thought of as a liquid;
 They both flow;They both flow;
 The greater the depth, the greater theThe greater the depth, the greater the
pressurepressure
 Higher density = higher pressure and v.v.Higher density = higher pressure and v.v.

18. GasGas
 In a contained gas, the pressure dependsIn a contained gas, the pressure depends
on the number of collisions between the gason the number of collisions between the gas
particles and the container;particles and the container;
 The more collisions, the greater theThe more collisions, the greater the
pressure;pressure;
Effect on Pressure Closed Container Open Container
As Temp increases Pressure increases Pressure decreases

19. ActivityActivity
 Workbook, page 123-124;Workbook, page 123-124;
 Textbook, page 233-239;Textbook, page 233-239;
 Balloon blow up!Balloon blow up!

20. Pascal’s PrinciplePascal’s Principle
 An increase in the pressure in an enclosedAn increase in the pressure in an enclosed
fluid is transmitted in all directions;fluid is transmitted in all directions;
 E.g. the pressure of air in a car tire is theE.g. the pressure of air in a car tire is the
same everywhere against the walls of thesame everywhere against the walls of the
tire;tire;
 The brake system of a car uses Pascal’sThe brake system of a car uses Pascal’s
principle when the fluid is pushed from theprinciple when the fluid is pushed from the
pedal to the brakes;pedal to the brakes;

21. Hydraulic LiftHydraulic Lift

22. Hydraulic Force ChangeHydraulic Force Change
Pressure 1 Pressure 2
Force1/Area1 = Force2/Area2
Given Area2 = 2 (Area1)
Force/Area1 = Force2/2 Area1
Cross Multiply
2Area1/Area1x Force1 = Force2
2Force1 = Force2
Thus Force2 = Two times Force1

23. PressurePressure
 Pressure is a force applied over an area.Pressure is a force applied over an area.
 Pressure (Pascal) =Pressure (Pascal) = Force (Newtons)Force (Newtons)
 Area (mArea (m22
))
 P =P = FF
 AA
 What is the pressure of 5 Newtons of ForceWhat is the pressure of 5 Newtons of Force
applied over a 4 mapplied over a 4 m22
area?area?
 P =P = 5.0 N5.0 N = 1.25 Pa= 1.25 Pa
 4 m4 m22

24. So What is Force?So What is Force?
 Force is a push or pull that can change theForce is a push or pull that can change the
motion of an object;motion of an object;
 It can:It can:
– move a stopped object;move a stopped object;
– slow down a moving object – deccelerate;slow down a moving object – deccelerate;
– speed up a moving object - accelerate;speed up a moving object - accelerate;
– it can change the direction of an object;it can change the direction of an object;
– it can support an object;it can support an object;

25. Force of Gravity, FForce of Gravity, Fgg
 FFgg = mg= mg
 where m is mass of object in kgwhere m is mass of object in kg
 where g is the attraction due to gravitywhere g is the attraction due to gravity
 g = 9.81 N/kg (m/sg = 9.81 N/kg (m/s22
))
 E.g. Weight of 5 kg curling stoneE.g. Weight of 5 kg curling stone
 FFgg = mg = 5 kg x 9.81 N/kg= mg = 5 kg x 9.81 N/kg
 = 49.05 N down= 49.05 N down

26. Resultant ForceResultant Force
 When you add two or more forces together,When you add two or more forces together,
the overall force, or net force is called thethe overall force, or net force is called the
Resultant Force.Resultant Force.
 Net Force =Net Force =
 20N up20N up
–– 20 N down20 N down
0 N0 N

27. Force ArrowsForce Arrows
 can be represented by arrows;can be represented by arrows;
 TheThe Resultant ForceResultant Force = 5N Left;= 5N Left;

28. Bernouilli’s PrincipleBernouilli’s Principle
 The higher the speed of a fluid, the lower theThe higher the speed of a fluid, the lower the
pressure and vice versa;pressure and vice versa;
 Air particles that pass over an airplane wingAir particles that pass over an airplane wing
have to move faster than air particles belowhave to move faster than air particles below
the wing in order to avoid a vacuum;the wing in order to avoid a vacuum;
 These faster air particles exert less pressureThese faster air particles exert less pressure
down compared to the pressure up;down compared to the pressure up;
 This creates an overall upwards force or aThis creates an overall upwards force or a
Buoyant Force, FBuoyant Force, Fbb – or LIFT.– or LIFT.

29. Bernouilli Creates LiftBernouilli Creates Lift

30. Archimedes’ PrincipleArchimedes’ Principle
 An object immersed in a fluid is subjected toAn object immersed in a fluid is subjected to
aa buoyantbuoyant (floating) force, F(floating) force, Fbb, EQUAL to the, EQUAL to the
weight of the fluid displaced by the object;weight of the fluid displaced by the object;
 The fluid can be air, so:The fluid can be air, so:
– An object floats UP if its weight is less than FAn object floats UP if its weight is less than Fbb
– An object remains at level if its weight = FAn object remains at level if its weight = Fbb
– An object sinks if its weight is more than FAn object sinks if its weight is more than Fbb

31. Archimedes Lifts UpArchimedes Lifts Up

32. The Big ExplanationThe Big Explanation
 Airplanes fly because the shape of the wingAirplanes fly because the shape of the wing
causes air to pass more quickly over the uppercauses air to pass more quickly over the upper
side of the wing(s);side of the wing(s);
 The faster flowing air creates an area of lesser airThe faster flowing air creates an area of lesser air
pressure;pressure;
 Since this is less than the normal air pressure,Since this is less than the normal air pressure,
LIFT is created;LIFT is created;
 This creates a Buoyant Force that lifts the planeThis creates a Buoyant Force that lifts the plane
up;up;
 Various control mechanisms add stability to aVarious control mechanisms add stability to a
plane.plane.

33. Airplane DeviationsAirplane Deviations

34. Airplane ControlsAirplane Controls

35. Activity
 Textbook: Chapter 7 Review: pp 246-249:
 Q. 1-9, 12-14, 21-32
 Workbook: Page 121-122
 Construct Paper Airplanes:
 Plan A:  Plan A
 Plan B:  Plan B
 Plan C:  Plan C

36. Design a Better PlaneDesign a Better Plane
 With our class Rubric, make your plane;With our class Rubric, make your plane;
 Calculate the total area of wing space onCalculate the total area of wing space on
your airplane;your airplane;
 Determine the mass of the plane;Determine the mass of the plane;
 Calculate the wing area : mass ratio;Calculate the wing area : mass ratio;
 Each student will make a Multi-ViewEach student will make a Multi-View
drawing of his/her plane with side, front anddrawing of his/her plane with side, front and
overhead views;overhead views;

37. The ClassicThe Classic

38. ActivityActivity
 Workbook: pages 45-46;Workbook: pages 45-46;
 Textbook: pages 79-87;Textbook: pages 79-87;
 Complex TasksComplex Tasks
 Boat race Mouse Trap CarBoat race Mouse Trap Car
 DesertificationDesertification
 Carbon TaxCarbon Tax
 Global Warming – UNGlobal Warming – UN
 Skeptical ScienceSkeptical Science